Hong Kong to replace disgraced housing unit over deadly Tai Po fire

Hong Kong’s disgraced Independent Checking Unit (ICU) will be disbanded as part of reforms in the wake of the city’s deadliest fire in decades, after a judge-led inquiry identified it as the government arm with the greatest responsibility for the Wang Fuk Court inferno.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Thursday that the Housing Bureau would undergo internal restructuring, under which the ICU would be replaced by a new Public Housing Building Control Section.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun, who is now also acting housing secretary after Winnie Ho Wing-yin resigned to take political responsibility for the fire, said the new section would be established next month.

The new section is expected to operate on a project basis and actively liaise with concerned parties, replacing the unit’s practice of selecting a small number of building works applications for desktop audits and investigating only after receiving complaints.